The Boomer Consumer is dedicated to helping boomers get what they want in life through using consumer information, making effective choices, and sharing their own experiences.

Note: This is a seattlepi.com reader blog. It is not written or edited by the P-I. The authors are solely responsible for content. E-mail us at newmedia@seattlepi.com if you consider a post inappropriate..

By Lisa Weintraub Schifferle, Attorney Federal Trade Commission “Free credit scores” sounds good, right? But what if you signed up for “free credit scores,” then found out you were enrolled in a credit monitoring program that costs $29.95 per month? Not so good. That’s what the FTC says happened with a company called One Technologies, […]
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It’s winter, and in many areas, deer are coming down from the mountains to look for food. Be on the lookout, especially at dusk. I hit a deer once on Blewett Pass. It was a huge trauma. I saw these deer at a local food co-op. I had my camera handy, so I took a […]
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By Bridget Small, Consumer Education Specialist Federal Trade Commission One way to judge a website’s privacy practices is to see if has been certified by an independent organization. Privacy seals and certifications are useful because it’s difficult for regular computer users to verify how sites use their information. Monday, the Federal Trade Commission announced a […]
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Sugar provides empty calories and contributes to weight gain, tooth decay, diabetes, heart disease, and other health problems. To avoid these unhealthy impacts, the use of sugar substitutes is growing. In the United States, the use of artificial and “natural” non-caloric sugar substitutes has grown over the last decade, from over 6 million pounds in […]
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Marysville-based Kiana Hawaiian Wear has earned an “F” rating with the Better Business Bureau serving Alaska, Oregon, and Western Washington — a result of its failure to respond to nearly 30 complaints filed in 2014. Kiana, apparently named after a native Hawaiian moon deity, sells T-shirts, sandals, and dresses through its online store. Customers have […]
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Lots of people feel the urge to cuddle and care for a puppy – especially one that doesn’t have a home and needs all the TLC an animal lover can give. But if you see an online ad for a dog, or any pet, be warned: that pooch’s picture may just be a trick to […]
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Have you been wondering whether you’ll find the biggest bargains on Thanksgiving, Black Friday, or Cyber Monday? DealNews.com offers the chart below with their opinions on what items will be at the lowest prices on the three days. Click on the chart to make it larger for easier reading. For more information for boomer consumers, […]
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Patients who have had kidney stones in the past should increase their fluid intake so they have at least two liters of urine a day, according to new guidelines from the American College of Physicians. The guidelines also call for these patients to eat less animal protein as well as chocolate, beets, nuts, rhubarb, spinach, […]
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By Amy Hebert, Consumer Education Specialist Federal Trade Commission Companies have left people’s sensitive personal and financial information in all the wrong places – in dumpsters, on car seats, and even in employees’ backpacks. Now, the FTC has sued two debt sellers for posting spreadsheets with the sensitive information of more than 70,000 people on […]
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It’s cold and energy use throughout the nation is shooting up. What can you do to reduce the amount of energy that you use and lower your utility bills. Turn down your thermostat to 68 degrees, replace or clean furnace filters, and reduce hot water temperatures are some suggestions. See the Consumer Energy Center’s “Winter […]
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Note: This is a seattlepi.com reader blog. It is not written or edited by the P-I. The authors are solely responsible for content. E-mail us at newmedia@seattlepi.com if you consider a post inappropriate..